Conservation Policies & Recommendations
The Pennsylvania Hospital landscape surrounds the historic Pine Building of the Pennsylvania Hospital on all sides, representing a mixture of historic and contemporary landscapes. It consists of the following major and minor landscape areas:
Pine Lawn and gardens on the south side along Pine Street
Physic, Woodland, and Memorial Gardens on the west along 9th Street;
OBGYN Garden, Cupola Garden, and Corner Garden (now renamed Heroes Garden) on the east along 8th Street;
Christ the Healer Garden and Oxygen Tank area to the north of the historic Pine Building to the east and west, respectively;
Volunteer Garden and Gottlieb Garden to the north of the East Wing, just inside the Gate House on the east along 8th Street.
The sidewalks and street trees along Pine, Spruce, 8th, and 9th streets, although these street trees are technically the responsibility of the City of Philadelphia.
The Hospital grounds possess potential for archaeological research and evidentiary heritage values (archaeological). This potential should be factored into current and future plans for use and development of the grounds.
Pine Street Lawn and Gardens (Physic Front, Grounds Front, Physic Rear and Grounds Rear)
Adding one or two small hardwoods such as oaks or maples would give these small trees time to establish, and to be ready to stand in for the large mature trees if they were to succumb in the near future.
Maintaining a precise symmetry between east and west, Physic and Grounds, is not critical, but maintaining an established tree canopy in these areas, roughly symmetrical to one another, is important for both historical continuity as well as the provision of shade and thermal comfort for visitors throughout the day.
The sculptural elements in the garden, William Penn and the marble pedestal, should be regularly inspected and maintained with the assistance of a professional conservator qualified to assess and conserve outdoor bronze sculpture and masonry.
Physic Garden
Maintain the garden per the planting scheme as designed by Garra in 1976, until the time that further research reveals records of older historic planting schemes for the Physic garden.
Woodland and Memorial Gardens
Any removal of the large canopy trees that shelter this garden would need to be accompanied by a transition to more sun-tolerant plants until a new canopy could be established.
OBGYN Garden, Cupola Garden, and Corner Garden
The OBGYN Garden would benefit from a holistic tree planting strategy that would both infill the missing tree gaps along the East Wing’s east elevation while also reinforcing the historic spatial rhythm of the perimeter trees inside the boundary wall.
Christ the Healer Garden and Oxygen Tank area
Maintain the green buffer at the northern elevation of the Pine Building created by the Christ the Healer Garden and the Oxygen Tank area.
Create a succession plan for the Magnolia trees.
Volunteer Garden and Gottlieb Garden
Maintain the open space of these garden areas per the terms of the PAH-SHPO easement and to preserve the continuity of the spatial relationships between the Gate House entrance, the historic Pine Building, and the gardens.
Perimeter Wall & Sheds
Survey and document the perimeter brick wall and sheds to identify extent of conditions.
Repoint areas of disaggregating or missing mortar with a mortar compatible to the historic materials.
Inspect all metal work and document areas of failing protective finishes and areas of deterioration
Clean and remove failing paint finishes
Clean and remove corrosion
Prepare surfaces and reapply protective coatings and finishes.
Replace lead putty in areas where putty has deteriorated.
Clean ferrous staining from marble coping.
Survey and document wood elements of shed.
Remove failing protective paint finish and repaint wood elements of sheds.
Inspect roofing, gutter, and drainage system over sheds.
To help preserve the perimeter wall, brick paving, and street plantings, consider the use of non-salt deicing strategies to increase traction and safety for pedestrians.
Gate House
Survey and document the Gate House exterior elevations to identify extent of conditions.
Repoint areas of disaggregating or missing mortar with a mortar compatible to the historic materials.
If de-icing salts are used on the adjacent paths, consider other non-salt deicing strategies to increase traction (and safety) for pedestrians.
Inspect roof and roof drainage and gutter systems, document, and repair respecting current aesthetic appearance.
All wooden elements should be annually inspected and conditions documented.
For a general frame of reference, windows and other exterior painted woodwork should be stripped of paint finish, cleaned, repaired or replaced in kind as necessary, and repainted every five to eight years.
Sidewalks and Street Trees along Pine, Spruce, 8th, and 9th Streets
Replace salt de-icing strategies with non-salt de-icing strategies to preserve the health and longevity of the street trees and surrounding masonry.
A tree succession plan should be established for the Oriental plane trees.